Incline Barbell Bench Press

Muscles worked

• ChestPecsPrimary
• Front deltsFront of the shouldersPrimary
• TricepsBack of the upper armSecondary

How to do it

1. Set up the bar. Load it evenly on both sides, use collars, and start with a weight you can move with good form.
2. Shoulder blades back and down, chest up towards the load.
3. Lower to the upper chest, elbows under the wrists.
4. Press up in a slight arc over the shoulders.
5. Control every rep. Breathe out through the hardest part and stop the set when your form changes.

Common mistakes

• Bench angle too steep. A steep bench turns it into a shoulder press; use the angle the exercise names.
• Bouncing at the bottom. Lower under control.

Barbell busy? Try one of these

• Decline Push-UpBodyweight + Bench
• High-Incline Smith PressSmith machine + Bench
• Incline Dumbbell PressDumbbell + Bench
• Incline Machine Chest PressMachine
• Smith Machine Incline PressSmith machine + Bench
• Landmine PressLandmine